India v Pakistan granted special status

India and Pakistan's meeting at the Oval on June 3, in a repeat of the 2007 World Twenty20 final, is a ‘Catch the Spirit’ game

The International Cricket Council has designated the World Twenty20 warm-up encounter between India and Pakistan a ‘Catch the Spirit’ match.

Funds raised through a variety of means during the game at the Oval on June 3 will go to support the families of the victims of the attack on the Sri Lanka team and match officials in Lahore in March, as well as ‘Peace and Sport’ projects across the Subcontinent.

ICC president David Morgan said: “The decision to designate the India – Pakistan encounter as a ‘Catch the Spirit’ match follows a recommendation by the ICC board at its most recent meeting, in Dubai in April.

“The board wanted to do something to assist the families of the victims of the terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team and match officials in March, and using this high-profile match with a sell-out crowd as a vehicle to do that makes excellent sense.

“‘Catch the Spirit’ is one of the themes of the ICC’s ongoing centenary year of 2009 and it highlights the respect with which the game is played around the world.

“We are extremely grateful to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Pakistan Cricket Board, the hosts the England and Wales Cricket Board and Surrey County Cricket Club, for allowing the match to take place under this banner.

David Morgan said funds from the game would go to help the families of the victims of the Lahore attack

“And we are also grateful to ESPN STAR Sports, the ICC’s global broadcast partner, which is covering the match, for providing an excellent vehicle for the fund-raising efforts.

“We hope this match, watched by millions both at the ground and around the world will portray cricket in a positive light, make a positive contribution to the lives of those affected by those terrible events in March and contribute to assisting community-based projects across the Asian subcontinent that promote peace through cricket.”

Fund-raising methods on the day will include requests for contributions from spectators inside the ground, donations from appeals via broadcast and internet coverage of the match and contributions from cricket stakeholders and other parties.

ECB chairman and ICC director Giles Clarke added: “The ECB is delighted to be hosting the ‘Catch the Spirit’ match at the Oval.

“It is an excellent example of our great sport showing a great spirit, pulling together in a thoroughly worthy cause, and if cricket can be a vehicle for good then that has to be the right thing to do.

“I hope spectators at the ground and those following the game all around the world get behind this initiative and make it the success it deserves to be.”